The encroachment of scrub vegetation on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, scrub continues to spread. This conclusion was published by the Swiss agricultural research institute (Agroscope) on Tuesday. According to the study, scrub encroachment is the result of abandoned cultivation and a change in the type and intensity of agricultural use. Green alder dominates the scrub encroachment, which also leads to a decline in biodiversity. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox To counteract this, there are various incentives in the form of direct payments for alpine farming. In 2014, the federal government increased one of them or introduced two new ones. The summer grazing contributions were increased. Direct payments for biodiversity promotion areas and quality contributions for the maintenance of typical regional landscapes ...
